Juventus must immediately lift themselves after the Sassuolo defeat — and Thursday’s Europa League opener against NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium provides precisely that opportunity. Luciano Spalletti presented the match in his pre-match press conference alongside Pierre Kalulu, addressing every major topic with the directness and occasional philosophical depth that distinguishes him from virtually any other manager in the game.
“NEC Are a High Level — Schreuder Has Courage, Tadic Is Dangerous, and a Quiet Evening Could Become Very Uncomfortable”
The tactical respect paid to Dick Schreuder’s side was entirely genuine. “Schreuder is a high-level profile. He had the courage to impose his ideas in an evolved country that had different ideas — and he succeeded. He won a third-division championship. We must expect an exclusive proposal of play in terms of quality of ideas and we must be ready, otherwise we risk being surprised. They score an average of two goals per match — that alone tells you a great deal about his football. He has strong players — people like Tadic. The wide pairs play inverted, precisely because they want to converge centrally. They press continuously. You must be ready for any initiative, otherwise it could become an uncomfortable evening.”
On the Sassuolo post-mortem: “We have been aware that there is something to improve. We have analysed it deeply and traced what we want to do differently. We must bring in correctives so what happened does not happen again. We must be a little more compact to remove some passing lines from opponents, and we must understand when the right moment is to press and when to form a more compact block and wait for the opponent’s mistake. But the explanation comes less from collective tactics — what makes the difference is how you interpret a situation, your mental rhythm. Maintaining a good mental rhythm is the true quality that allows you to go beyond problems. Those who think first do everything a little first.”
“I Learned to Accept Pressure at Ten Years Old — I Will Not Be Disturbed by What Comes After a Defeat”
The most personally revealing passage of the press conference concerned Spalletti’s own upbringing — invoked for the first time publicly to contextualise his relationship with pressure. “Accepting pressure is the medicine for learning to live — and I learned it at a very young age. At ten, when I went to school, I had to earn something for the family. So you can imagine whether this disturbs me now that I have put so many things in order in my life. What comes out after a defeat is a process I cannot control — so it does not interest me. In my head, I decide which thoughts to give space to and which not to.”
On the criticism and the calls for change: “If you begin to listen to what is being said, you lose your own identity. It must absolutely not be done. You must be a little true, alive, and real in the things that surround you, the emotions you live. You cannot be understood by everyone. You do things you consider right for the good of the club and the squad.”
“You’ve Made Your Conte Poster — Ognuno si fa la locandina che vuole”
The response to the journalist who mentioned Conte — for the second time within the same press conference — became one of the most discussed moments of Spalletti’s entire Juventus tenure so far. Turning to face the questioner directly: “Now you have made your Conte poster. You have mentioned him twice — like when I ask them to press. Everyone makes the poster they want. I continue to train with the same criteria, with the same convictions.”
On Carnevali’s confidence: “Carnevali is a football man — experienced, balanced, and everyone in football knows what kind of person he is. He knows perfectly well what he must do: transfer serenity so the squad can work calmly. I am a little less than what he has said — but I will not let him down, and I will become what he wants, because of the esteem and the friendship. I cannot disappoint him.”
“New Rules Are Liberating Football — and They Make the Furbetti Visible”
On the new refereeing approach under Orsato’s direction: “The game has become too fast — there are too many variables. The game depends on the micro decisions of the players. You must anticipate situations alone, imagine that what comes may be the opposite of what you expect. Now the new refereeing rules protect the spectacle but they are an incentive — an indication towards the duel, the physical challenge, the individual battle near the touchline. If you cannot hold your ground they push you off the pitch — now you cannot accentuate the foul. You play more. It becomes visible that the furbetti are brought to the surface. They protect the spectacle and liberate football.”
“McKennie Starts — I Want Him on the Pitch from the First Minute for Too Many Reasons”
The most operationally significant selection news of the conference: McKennie will start. “McKennie is part of the evaluations. We must be careful about who we put on the pitch — there are two or three who cannot finish the match. I want McKennie on the pitch tomorrow from the start, for too many reasons — so he plays.” On Cambiaso: a slight residual ankle discomfort is being monitored, with his inclusion possible but not certain.
“Koopmeiners Must Show Me Decisive Individual Decisions — We Know He Has Them”
The challenge directed at Koopmeiners was specific and measurable. “How important will he be this season? When you wear the Juventus shirt, the season is not what matters — what matters is the next thing you are about to do. Koop is a player we consider in an important way. We expect to see his level — which we know very well. But as I was saying, there are individual decisions to be taken during matches — and he now has the duty to show me some important decisions, because we know he has them, as an international player. I am convinced and I await seeing these things already in training, because we need them.”
“Gatti Plays” — Confirmed for Thursday
Responding to a direct question on Sky Sport: “Gatti? He plays.” It is the clearest possible statement of intent on a player whose omission at Sassuolo generated considerable discussion.
Kalulu: “We Must Do Better — the NEC Is Offensive and Dangerous”
Kalulu’s contributions were measured and focused. On the Sassuolo post-mortem: “Reviewing the match we saw what was missing — with the awareness of improving. NEC attack a great deal and we must be careful. Every victory is always good for morale, whilst always continuing to be self-critical.” On Kolo Muani: “I know Randal well. He is working — and I know he will give a great contribution to the squad. I have no doubts about his season.” On Koopmeiners: “In the dressing room he is someone you can talk and joke with. He works a great deal on the pitch, has physical and technical qualities, can give excellent balls with his left foot — and I think this season he will give his best for us.”
